This will be the opening scene for the first adventure.  Make sure you have first read History.

ADVENTURE 1
FORSAKEN BINARY

After leaving the Matrix, you were brought to Zion.  However, only a few days passed before they wanted to train you--to prepare you to go back in.  "This is a battle," the Counsel said, "and you must go in to extract our warriors."  It wasn't much of a choice.  Refusal would have led to social exile and ridicule.

Three months of "Matrix Boot Camp" later, and then you were assigned to the Hyperion.  You spent two weeks exploring the fringes of the Underground--a series of cave networks through which the Defender travels.  Only from the close proximity near the edges of the Underground can you freely travel into and out of the Matrix.

Then came the call.  The Hyperion is to remain on the edge of the Underground.  A small Recon Class transport is on its way.

It arrives, and down the ladder climbs Binary.  You caught only a glimpse of the legendary figure at the Counsel meeting.  You were not that impressed.  At five foot eight inches, he was shorter than most.  Long stringy white hair fell across both sides of his face.  He looked to be in his mid-forties, scrawny, somewhat jumpy.  Not exactly a leader.  But somewhere in there was a computer genius surpassing all others.

You all sit down and he begins to explain even as the sounds of the departing transport are cut off by the closing port door.

The most comfortable area of the Hyperion is still filled with mechanical spare parts, corrugated pipes running up the walls and across the ceiling, and computer monitors.  The hum of the engines is a constant background noise you try to ignore.  You are all cramped in a circle just a few feet apart.  It is obvious that some have neglected personal hygiene, such as showering.  Nearby, a rush of steam seaps into the air as something blows through a pipe.

Binary jumps at the explosion of steam.  His eyes dart from one to the other.  He speaks so quickly that he trips over his words, and you strain to catch up.

"My position at the NSA was as supervising programmer for a project called 'The Matrix Program.'  I discovered that our reality wasn't real.  The Code showed it to me.  Plain as the nose on your face.  The Matrix Program was developed to release us from the giant network we called 'The Matrix.'  As you know, I was the first to be released.  I volunteered.  After finding Zion, time passed.  Years.  Why hasn't someone else from the project come through?  Have they shut down the program?  Do they think I died?  If we can go back and convince more programmers to come through, then we can have valuable soldiers in our war against Zero-One."

He jumps as another burst of steam blows through the pipe.  "That's where we're going.  Our insertion point is deep in the heart of the NSA.  It's an underground government complex, originally built as a bomb shelter during the Cold War."  He hands a small diskey to X.  "These are the blueprints.  Upload them to help us through.  I know my way around well, but..."  He pauses.  "Just in case."

X puts the diskey in an keys through its location.  "I think we can do a Matrix insertion from about fifty clicks through Underground Tunnel X5-3290."  He scrolls through a map of the giant underground conduits.  "Yes.  That's a solid insertion point."

"That's why I came here," Binary says matter of factly.

Locke explains like a father to a child, "Although technically geography doesn't matter in the Matrix, as you rookies may be aware, insertion points are a delicate matter if we are to avoid detection by Zero-One.  The shorter the connection distance, the lower the chances of detection."

Binary squints his eyes up at Locke.  "Rookies?  No one said anything about rookies."

"Relax," Locke says.  "They've been trained by the best."

"And just who's that?"

"Me.  Besides, this is a routine mission.  In and out.  Reconnaissance only."

"I'm not sure," Binary says.  "What if something happens?"

"Well, it would have helped if you would have given us advance notice about the parameters of this mission.  Who's in charge anyway?  They know I have the new recruits."

"You'll be coming with us, won't you?" Binary asks.

"I can't.  X is manning operations.  I have to take over navigation and security.  We are close to the surface.  If any Sentinels discover us, we're going to have to go to immediate extraction and then run like hell."

Hammer, the Hyperion's engineer, speaks up.  "Our EMP is still down.  I'm trying to repair it, but this thirty year old hunk of junk has seen a lot of action.  Don't count on it being ready in an emergency."

Locke shrugs, nonplussed.  "So just make it quick.  In and out.  No worries."

No worries.  Of course.  Nothing could go wrong...
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 11:42, Sat 06 Mar 2004.

[NOTE TO PLAYERS:  This first adventure is introductory.  It is geared to take you through the nuts and bolts of this system in a step by step walkthrough while introducing critical campaign information.  As such, I may sometimes interject suggestions or general playing hints.  However, for your own roleplaying freedom, please do not expect this to continue into further adventures.]

Binary nods.  "Okay.  I guess this shouldn't be too hard for rookies."  He turns to all of you.  "Just let me do the talking.  There are a lot of people in that facility, and you don't much look like NSA executives.  But they should know me and there shouldn't be any trouble."

"What about weapons?" Locke asks.

Binary shrugs.  "I don't expect any trouble, but you never can be too sure.  Give them something just in case."

"X," Locke starts.

"On it," X responds.  "Just let me pull up the map of the facility for you."

Locke turns to you.  "Do you have any questions before we get to a mission summary?"

[Note to players:  The game has now begun.  You may now post freely.]

Caine shrugs slightly as the question is asked, and in what had become his normal manner he answers softly, "No questions, other than when do we go in?"

He stands up and glances around at the others waiting to be inserted before turning back to hear the mission briefing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:42, Wed 24 Mar 2004.

"If there are no worries," Jade asks, still chewing thoughtfully on a wad of bubble gum, "then why do you need all of us to go in?  Something just doesn't smell right about this.  What can we expect to find?"  She smooths out the sleeves of her black leather jacket and stares with penetrating eyes down at Binary.

X walks over and places a newly printed schematic in the center of the group.  "Here is the main floor of the facility," he says.  "I'll be tapping a hardline into the point marked E3 on the map."




Binary looks at the schematics for a few moments.  "My office was 516, but we shouldn't even have to get that far.  It should be teaming with NSA agents, so we should have no problem hooking up.  We'll be looking for Sam Dreydon.  He's a non-military hotshot.  One of the civilians I trust."  He laughs.  "Of course, I don't trust any of the military, but hey, that's me."

He twists his head sideways.  "Yeah, 409 and 509 had our main computer uplinks.  We should be able to find someone in there to help us, if not sooner.  So I guess that's our plan."

You begin to wonder if Binary even has a plan beyond hooking up with his old friends.

As you are looking over the map, X walks back to his computer.  He sits down, punches a few keys and says, "I'm still working on the weapons programming.  As far as guns are concerned, I've got three types to choose from.  I've got an M9 Beretta 92 as an automatic pistol, an AK-47 for a rifle, and Thompson .45 for your submachine guns.  Pick whatever you want, and I'll program them for you when we jack you in.  I'll give you three clips each.  That should be plenty.  After all, they're all on our side there."

STATISTICS:
Please keep the following statistics in mind for these weapons:



BERETTA:


AK-47 ASSAULT RIFLE:


THOMPSON .45:

This message was last edited by the player at 11:45, Wed 24 Mar 2004.

Binary glances over at the bubblegum-chewing Jade and answers her question, "What I expect to find is a group of scientists who were too scared to cross over into the real world themselves.  It's not like we could see what was on the other side.  We just knew our bodies were being used as fuel for the machine world and we were put in an unconscious state of bliss.  They thought exiting the Matrix would literally put them in some sort of living hell."

He pauses.  "But I'm also concerned about the military element.  The NSA and the military were working together on this project.  It was all real hush-hush, you know.  But I'm just the computer guy.  I solved their problems and chose to leave.  So I don't want to go back without being prepared for them.  I mean, what if they decide not to let us leave the Matrix again?  What if we become their guinnea pigs?"

Binary is getting himself worked up and very nervous again.  You can tell he's frightened, yet driven.

Caine scowls slightly at the man's nervousness, causing the scar on his face to quiver slightly, before turning back to study the schematic...  After a moment's pause he shrugs and turns back to the group, "If this is supposed to be easy, let's get in and do the job, and get out..." he says simply.  Turning to 'X' he continues, "An' I'll take a Beretta or two, less firepower but easier to handle in a confined space..." after another moment's pause he adds, "Make it two, two clips a piece if you can..." he says with a grin...

Having said his peace, he moves to the side and waits, fidgeting slightly in the scruffy clothes he wore in the real world as he anticipates the off...
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:21, Thu 25 Mar 2004.

Grid looks over the schematics and nods slowly without speaking.  He asks for a beretta and an AK-47, three clips each.

This message was deleted by the player at 15:43, Thu 25 Mar 2004.

This message was deleted by the player at 05:57, Thu 25 Mar 2004.

Jade chomps on her gum for a moment.  "I'll take a beretta and a Thompson.  I can handle the recoil."  She looks at her highly toned arms.  "I'm in much better shape in the Matrix anyway."

Lazarus sits in the back, casting quick glances over everyone as they speak. He stands up, stretching as he does to work the kinks out of his muscles. Though he has been free for some time, his body is constantly in motion.  "Something about this rubs me the wrong way.  For a recon mission we seem to be going in with a lot of fire power.  Is there something else we should know about this place?"

"Something else?" Binary says.  "Other than the fact that it's been three years with no word from them and no one else exiting even though we were set up and ready for a mass exodus?  Other than the fact that the place was crawling with military when I left and everyone was jittery about the project within the NSA?  No, can't think of anything else, but that's plenty for me."

Lazarus chuckles a little when Binary finishes answering his question. "Well, now that we know all the details, I'll take a beretta." He looks at the rest of the crew and starts to pace, swinging his arms back and forth as he walks.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Fri 26 Mar 2004.

Caine chuckles at Lazarus' words, making the vivid scar on his face jump slightly, then he turns to 'X', "Better make that three mags per Beretta for me..."

Turning back to the group and Binary in particular he added, "Well, let's get on then, shall we?"

Lazarus looks to Caine and nods his head at him; he stops his pacing but his arms are still moving. "Yeah, lets get this show on the road, the longer we wait, the worse it could get."

"All right," X says, "I'll give you the weapons you want.  Whoever doesn't speak up now, I'm just going to send you in with a beretta and three clips.  That should be plenty for you."

Jade spits out her gum into the garbage.  "Yeah, I'm ready to rock-n-roll.  Let's do it."

"Okay, while you think it over, let me give you your full inventory list.  You've got your cell phone, of course.  Keep it handy and don't lose it.  I'm opening a party line so you can all hear what I say.  They have an earplug and a belt clip, so it's hands free, but you'll need to use the handset if you want to talk back."

He lays a list in front of you and points out each item.

"You'll have a backpack.  It carries roughly 50 pounds.  Of course, you can't bring anything back from the Matrix, so keep that in mind.  You'll be clad in black leather.  It should help hide you in the dark and prevent you from slip and falls, but it won't stop bullets, so be careful."

He clears his throat and continues.  "You'll each have a heavy duty flashlight and 5 glow sticks, short range walkie-talkies, a 50 foot length of rope, and a razor sharp Bowie knife.  I'm also sending you each with a smoke grenade.  I'm still having a glitch with those grenades.  They only work half the time, and for some reason it won't let me program more than one per person.  Still working on that.  Any questions?"

Running into the room, panting and sweating, is a young man, roughly in his mid twenties. Sorry I'm late guys, The names Xan. Are we ready to go yet?

Lazarus looks at the young man running in, he shakes his head and says while flashing a smile, "Better late than never." He shifts his smile to X and says,  "Make my stuff forest green, it will look weird if we are all black, it never looks natural."

X chuckles.  "Green leather, now there's a thought.  Sure, why not?  It'll still probably look black in the darkness."  X turns to his computer to make some adjustments.